Annette Bening’s enduring career in Hollywood showcases a remarkable range of performances, making her name synonymous with versatility and depth. Despite being nominated multiple times for major awards, including the Academy, Tony, and Primetime Emmy Awards, she has yet to secure a win, placing her in the exclusive group known as the Triple Crown of Acting nominees without a trophy. This collection highlights some of the Annette Bening essential movies that best epitomize her skill and influence across decades.
Portraying Complex Romance in “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool” (2017)
“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”
captures a poignant love story, featuring Annette Bening as Gloria Grahame, an iconic Hollywood actress in the twilight of her life. The film, based on Peter Turner’s memoir, chronicles the unconventional romance between Grahame and her younger partner, British actor Peter Turner, played by Jamie Bell. Set against Liverpool’s backdrop, it reveals themes of aging, memory, and the power of connection in later years. Bening delivers a heart-wrenching performance embodying the vulnerability and resilience required to navigate a May-December relationship, anchoring the narrative with emotional authenticity.
Though the biopic may not offer groundbreaking revelations, Bening’s portrayal commands attention and reminds audiences of her enduring presence and strength in contemporary cinema. This film stands as an underrated highlight among her cinematic achievements.
Annette Bening’s Grit in the Sports Drama “Nyad” (2023)
In “Nyad,” Bening takes on the role of swimmer Diana Nyad, who pursues the seemingly impossible task of crossing the Straits of Florida. The film delves into Nyad’s intense training, determination, and multiple attempts to fulfill this lifelong ambition. Employing flashbacks, it renders the physical and emotional challenges of her journey with an emphasis on perseverance and hope. Bening captures Nyad’s fierce tenacity and occasional blindness to the support surrounding her, presenting a nuanced characterization.
The film also highlights female camaraderie, particularly in the dynamic between Bening and Jodie Foster’s character, Bonnie Stoll. Despite receiving Oscar nominations for their performances, “Nyad” faced mixed reviews and was overshadowed in awards by other contenders. While some viewers may find flaws in the film’s pacing and emotional resonance, Bening’s portrayal breathes vitality into Diana Nyad’s inspirational story.
The On-Screen Chemistry of “Love Affair” (1994)
“Love Affair” (1994) represents both a significant cinematic project and a milestone in Annette Bening’s personal life, marking her real-life romance with co-star Warren Beatty. The film charts the improbable romance between Mike Gambril, a former football star, and Terry McKay, a singer, who meet under extraordinary circumstances following an emergency landing during a flight. Despite creating a commitment to reunite on the Empire State Building months later, unforeseen tragedy prevents one lover from arriving, weaving a tale of hope and heartbreak.
Reception of “Love Affair” remains divided, with some considering it a disappointing remake, while others regard it as a hidden gem—particularly cherished by Bening fans. The movie also features Katharine Hepburn in her final film role, adding historical weight to the production. This blend of classic romance and real-life passion makes “Love Affair” a noteworthy film in Bening’s repertoire.
Exploring Modern Family Dynamics in “20th Century Women” (2016)
Mike Mills’ “20th Century Women” offers a blend of comedy and drama as it portrays a unique family portrait in 1970s California. Bening stars as Dorothea, a determined single mother who enlists the help of her two young housemates, Abbie (Greta Gerwig) and Julie (Elle Fanning), to guide her son Jaimie through adolescence. The film’s nonlinear narrative skillfully balances lighthearted moments with poignant reflections on love, identity, and generational change.
Bening shines in the role of Dorothea, bringing depth to a woman who defies simple categorization—a figure of fierce independence constrained by era-bound expectations. Her portrayal highlights the complexity of motherhood, female agency, and social transformation, all while anchoring the emotional heart of this richly textured story.
The Breakthrough Role in “The Grifters” (1990)
“The Grifters” was the film that largely propelled Annette Bening into the Hollywood spotlight. Set in the neo-noir crime genre and produced by Martin Scorsese, the story, adapted from Jim Thompson’s novel, revolves around small-time conman Roy Dillon (John Cusack) who becomes entangled between two women: his manipulative mother Lily (Anjelica Huston) and the cunning Myra (Bening), his girlfriend.
The film excels in presenting a world of deception, passion, and betrayal, where trust is a currency in short supply. Although John Cusack’s character drives much of the narrative, the intense rivalry between Huston and Bening steals the show. Annette’s portrayal earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a milestone that marked her rise as a formidable presence in cinema despite losing to Whoopi Goldberg for “Ghost.”
The Intense Romance and Glamour of “Bugsy” (1991)
“Bugsy” features Annette Bening alongside Warren Beatty in a biographical crime drama centered on Bugsy Siegel’s complicated life and romantic involvement with Virginia Hill, portrayed by Bening. The film focuses on Siegel’s ambitions to build the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, an enterprise funded by organized crime, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
Annette Bening and Warren Beatty’s on-screen chemistry is palpable and introspective, with hints of foreshadowing their real-life marriage the following year. Their daughter, Ella Beatty, has spoken openly about witnessing their romance unfold through this performance. For fans of gangster dramas and the golden age of Hollywood glamor, “Bugsy” remains a significant entry reflecting both Bening’s career and Beatty’s influence.
The Theatrical World in “Being Julia” (2004)
“Being Julia” transports viewers to 1930s London, following the story of Julia Lambert, a celebrated stage actress who grapples with fading passion and complex personal entanglements. Bening embodies Julia as she embarks on a secret affair with Tom Fennel (Shaun Evans), introduced by her husband Michael Gosselyn (Jeremy Irons), a theater director. The affair is laced with manipulation and rivalry, as Tom seeks to secure a role for another actress, Avice Crichton (Lucy Punch).
The film, adapted from W. Somerset Maugham’s novel “Theatre,” balances a story of love and betrayal with Bening’s commanding performance at its center. She skillfully navigates a spectrum of emotions, from authentic longing to calculated performance, reinforcing her reputation for nuanced character work. “Being Julia” earned Bening an Academy Award nomination, though she was ultimately edged out by Hilary Swank in “Million Dollar Baby.”
Political Romance in “The American President” (1995)
Before political dramas became synonymous with cynicism, “The American President” offered a romanticized glimpse into politics, combining charm and idealism. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Aaron Sorkin, the film tells the story of widowed President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), who navigates romance with environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade, played by Bening, while working to pass key legislation during his re-election campaign.
Bening and Douglas share an effortless chemistry, portraying the difficulties of sustaining a private relationship amidst political pressures. The film explores themes of media scrutiny and political ideals, serving as a precursor to the style and tone later epitomized in Sorkin’s television series “The West Wing.” Notably, Martin Sheen appears here in the role of White House Chief of Staff A. J. MacInerney, years before his iconic portrayal in the series. Bening’s memorable presence, including the iconic scene where she wears only a white shirt, adds to the film’s enduring appeal.
Redefining Family in “The Kids Are All Right” (2010)
“The Kids Are All Right” broke ground as one of the first mainstream films to center on a same-sex couple raising children. Annette Bening stars as Nic Allgood, partnered with Jules (Julianne Moore), whose family life is disrupted when their teenage children seek out their sperm-donor father, Paul Hatfield (Mark Ruffalo). This revelation challenges the family’s delicate balance, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and unconditional love.
Bening’s portrayal as a mother grappling with fears of losing her family’s unity is both complex and heartfelt, reflecting the nuanced realities many modern families face. The movie was widely acclaimed for its progressive storytelling and garnered Bening another Oscar nomination, though she again missed the award, this time to Natalie Portman’s performance in “Black Swan.”
The Iconic Role in “American Beauty” (1999)
“American Beauty,” Sam Mendes’ debut as a director, remains one of Annette Bening’s hallmark films, exploring the unraveling suburban life of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) during a midlife crisis. Bening stars as Carolyn Burnham, Lester’s ambitious and materialistic wife, whose performance combines intensity with vulnerability. The film delves into themes of identity, beauty, and familial dysfunction with a darkly satirical tone.
Bening matches Spacey’s commanding presence, delivering a layered and tragic portrayal of a woman caught in personal and societal contradictions. Her work earned her an Academy Award nomination, although the trophy went to Hilary Swank for “Boys Don’t Cry.” “American Beauty” remains an essential film for understanding Bening’s artistry and her ability to engage complex characters in tense emotional landscapes.
